I am not a Christian. I was not attending a sunrise Easter vigil. I cannot explain it. It is Sunday morning, "the 5th intermediary day of Passover" or, as my pocket calendar likes to put it so succinctly: ה' חוהמ"פ It is a little after 8 a.m. and I have been up for more than 3 hours. Yesterday was so hot and gritty (sort of what you'd expect from a sand storm). This morning, it is lovely and cool. Maybe I just needed to get up and enjoy it while I can!

Many people have asked what I intend to do once I finish graduate school. The truth is, I don't know - and anyway, as Batiya bikelovejones taught me, it is "gradual" school, to the prospect of finishing seems still premature at this point. When I returned to Israel in July of 2004, I did so intentionally without heaping on the additional pressure of intending to "stay forever." I thought that I'd just work on my Arabic and get a grad degree - and all the while, try to get my finger on the pulse of this little country with a moustache. Now, I can't imagine leaving. The heart has reasons which reason knows nothing of. Go figure! My friend in German sent me ( 10 reasons to move home to Jerusalem. )

On Thursday, as I was headed out to grab a bus to Jerusalem, I noticed that there was finally mail. The postal person hadn't graced our building for almost two weeks and we'd stopped expecting service. There was a care package from Batiya with wonderful photos of rural Oregon from her recent populaire. תודה, בתיה You are a lifeline! There was a slip from the post office promising that they had a package for me. It was from Matan!

It fits just right, but with the ( hamsin חמסין ), it was 32 degrees C. (89.6 degrees F), so I couldn't wear it for long. الريح الخمسينية الحارة


( How's your IPA? ) Matan nomadmatan is in imminent danger of graduating from the University of Buffalo. Can you guess from which department?!

On Friday afternoon, my friend Eric showed up and we went to the shuq سوق שוק market to pick up veggies and other provisions for Shabbat. I love having company for Shabbat, but especial Eric who is a buddy from the Old Country.

A shower is the next thing on my dance card, so I'm off!

Tags: after school special, friends, hamsin, hoodie, ipa, jerusalem
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Current Music: Regina Spektor Регина Спектор